2023-2024
Board of Directors and Leaders

To get where the veterinary profession needs to go, it takes a dynamic group of people leading the way. Get to know our leadership team.
Executive Board
Ashley I. Nichols

DVM

President

Ross University SVM
Class of 2015
Member Since 2016
Currently practices at Banfield Pet Hospital 1076

Rene A. Varela

MS, VMD, MPH

President Elect

University of Pennsylvania
Class of 2001
Member Since 2013

Vacant

Vice-President​​

Coming soon…

Elizabeth Cottrell

DVM

Secretary/Treasurer

University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Class of 2008
Member since 2009
Currently at the FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Elizabeth Hepner

DVM, MPH

Immediate Past President

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2016
Member since 2016

Andrew O’Carroll

DVM

AVMA Delegate

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2008
Member since 2008
Currently at the Food and Drug Administration

Jennifer Krueger

DVM

AVMA Alternate Delegate

Virgina Maryland CVM
Class of 2008
Member since 2010
Currently practicing at Olney Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital

Robert D. Silcox

DVM

Director At Large

Ross University SVM
Class of 1998
Practicing Owner of Hickory Veterinary Hospital

Rich Streett, III

DVM

Director At Large

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2000
Member since 2001
Currently practicing at Churchville, Greenbrier, & Swan Creek Veterinary Clinics

Philip Palmer

DVM

Region 1 Delegate

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 1985
Member since 1995
Practicing Owner of Palmer Animal Hospital

Carvel G. Tiekert

DVM

Region 2 Delegate

Cornell University CVM
Class of 1963
Member since 1970
Currently practicing at Animal Care Center in Joppa

Carolyn Cornett

DVM

Region 2 Delegate

University of California Davis SVM
Class of 1992
Member since 2008
Practicing Owner of Keysville Mobile Vet Services

Monica Capella

DVM

Region 3 Delegate

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2019
Member since 2020
Currently practicing at VCA Calvert Veterinary Center

Santiago Jimenez Gonzalez

DVM, PhD

Region 3 Delegate

National University of Colombia
Class of 2003
Member since 2018
Currently practicing at Norbeck Animal Clinic and Montgomery Animal Hospital

Megan Noyes

DVM

Region 4 Delegate

Cornell University CVM
Class of 1963
Member since 2019
Currently practicing at Waldorf Animal Clinic

Vacant

Region 5 Delegate

Practice Representatives
Tanya Tag

DVM, DACVECC

Board Certified Specialist Representative

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2011
Member Since 2011
Practicing Medical Director at Pet+ER

 

James Casey

DVM, MS

Equine Representative

Tuskegee University
Class of 1988
Currently works in Laurel, MD

Matthew Weeman

DVM, MS

Food Animal Representative

The Ohio State University
Class of 2013
Member since 2016
Practicing Owner of Bayside Bovine Veterinary Services

Laura Hungerford

MPH, PhD, CPH

Government / Corporate / Academic Representative

Michigan State
Class of 1980
Member since 2001
Professor and Head, Department of Population Health Sciences and Interim Director, VT MPH Program at Virginia Maryland CVM

James Pelura, III

DVM, MS

Poultry / Avian / Exotics Representative

Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine
Class of 1981
Member since 1983
Owner of Davidsonville Veterinary Clinic

Tosha Starke

DVM

Small Animal Representative

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2004
Member since 2019
Currently practicing at All Four Paws Vet Relief

Committee Chairpersons
Shannnon Skevakis

DVM

College (NV)

University of Florida CVM
Class of 2011
Member since 2019
Owner of Eternal Pawprints Veterinary Hospice

Matthew Weeman

DVM, MS

Legislative (NV)

The Ohio State University
Class of 2013
Member since 2016
Practicing Owner of Bayside Bovine Veterinary Services

Elizabeth Hepner

DVM, MPH

Membership (NV)

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 2016
Member since 2016
Currently works at Warm & Fuzzy Veterinary Center

Vacant

PAC (NV)

Ashley I. Nichols

DVM

Continuing Education (NV)

Ross University SVM
Class of 2015
Member Since 2016
Currently practices at Banfield Pet Hospital 1076

David Handel

DVM, CVA, CCRP, CTPEP

Continuing Education (NV)

Auburn University
Class of 1991
Member Since 2010
Currently practices at Kentlands Veterinary Hospital

Honorary Board Representatives
Erin Casey

DVM

AVMA District II Representative (NV)

University of Georgia
Class of 2010
Currently at Boehringer Ingelheim

Michael Odian

DVM

Maryland State Veterinarian (NV)

Atlantic Veterinary College
Class of 1995
Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Section

Carol Schwartz

VMD

Technicians Representative (NV)

University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Class of 1993
Member since 1994
Director-CCBC’s Veterinary Technology Program/Veterinarian (SA, LA)

Elizabeth Callahan

DVM, DACT, DABVP, MS

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Board Member (NV)

Virginia Maryland CVM
Class of 1985
Member since 2001
Currently practicing at Veterinary Medical Center

Nathaniel E. Boan

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Executive Director (NV)

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
BS Psychology

Executive Staff
Marisa Francis

CAE

Executive Director

University of Maryland
BA Communications

Christine Gacono

CMP

Director of Education and Events

Penn State University

Government Relations
Hannah Garagiola

President

Compass Government Relations Partners
Compass Advocacy

Morgan Mills

Assistant Director, Government Relations

Compass Government Relations Partners

Past Presidents

2022-2023
Dr. Elizabeth Hepner

2022-2022
Dr. David Handel

2020-2021
Dr. Shadawn Salmond-Jimenez

2019-2020
Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell

2018-2019
Dr. Rich Burgess

2017-2018
Dr. Rick Lewis

2016-2017
Dr. Rich Streett, III

2015-2016
Dr. Robert Silcox

2014-2015
Dr. Justin Sobota

2013-2014
Dr. Jan Ginsky

2012-2013
Dr. Krista Evans

2011-2012
Dr. Thomas J. Armitage

2010-2011
Dr. John Kable

2009-2010
Dr. James B. Reed

2008-2009
Dr. Jack O’Mara

2006-2007
Dr. Gregory S. Svoboda

2005-2006
Dr. Cindy Burnsteel

2004-2005
Dr. Ronald O. Schueler

2003-2004
Dr. Robert Z. Goodman

2002-2003
Dr. Perry S. Crowl

2001-2002
Dr. Fred Everhart, Jr.

2000-2001
Dr. Michael Erskine

1999-2000
Dr. Joanne Howl

1998-1999
Dr. Edward H. Stephenson

1996-1997
Dr. Jimmy Tibbs

1994-1995
Dr. Jane Brunt

1992-1993
Dr. Gary Hauptmann

1991-1992
Dr. John Brooks

1988-1989
Dr. Ed Jendrek

1987-1988
Dr. James McClellan

1986-1987
Dr. Mike Radebaugh

1983-1984
Dr. Gerald TePaske

1982-1983
Dr. Carvel Tiekert

1979-1980
Dr. Bob Batchelor

1978-1979
Dr. Gary Roop

1972-1973
Dr. Cleve Brown